Platform failure leaves cleaners dangling from dome

OLYMPIA, WA — The $1 million cleaning project for the sandstone dome on Washington''s Capitol building has been put on hold after a platform failed and left cleaning workers dangling from the façade, according to the Seattle Times.

One individual was left hovering some 40 feet in the air, saved by his fall protection equipment, while another worker was pulled safely on to the fourth-floor roof by a coworker, the story stated.

The contractor on the project, Western Waterproofing, has halted the entire operation for impromptu training and thorough equipment safety checks, the story noted.

The projected finish date for the project that entails blasting off the moss and other matter that have turned the 84-year-old sandstone dome from tan to black is still slated for November, the story added.

Click here to read previous coverage about the Capitol dome cleaning from Tuesday, August 7, 2012.